Suspect in fatal crash seeks bond reduction

Associate Judge James Thompson will hear arguments Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. on a motion to reduce the bond of a Richmond man charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Robert Aliff, 39, is charged in the May 2011 death of Bruce Sodders, 59, a Richmond resident who was killed when the car he was a passenger in was struck head-on by Aliff’s 1996 Jeep Cherokee.

Aliff has been in custody at Ray County Jail since Nov. 5 on $25,000 cash bond. Because of the seriousness of the charges against him, prosecutors requested and received a more stringent bond that excluded the option of 10 percent payment to free Aliff from custody.

In addition to a B Felony charge of first-degree involuntary manslaughter, Aliff is charged with second-degree assault, a C Felony, and two A Misdemeanors.

The assault charge stems from injuries sustained by the driver of the second vehicle, Gladys Stafford. Stafford was hospitalized with moderate injuries as a result of the accident.